Our Canada based Law Firm is staffed with more than 25 licensed lawyers, licensed immigration consultants and technical personnel. Our firm represents international celebrities in the fashion industry and performing arts as well as some of North America’s largest corporations in their immigration and staffing projects.

An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is a new requirement for foreign nationals from visa-exempt countries arriving in Canada by air, whether to visit the country directly or to pass through in transit.

The Quebec investor program offers high net worth applicants with CAD $2 Million permanent residence through a risk-free investment of CAD $1,2 Million.

The investment can be financed through a recognized intermediary under a ‘walk-away’ financing scheme. With approved “walk away” financing, the liquidated cost is approximately CAD $350,000 (USD $270,000), depending on interest rates.

QIIP is the only option in Canada for high net worth business immigrants to secure Canadian permanent residence on the basis of a passive investment.

QIIP will accept a maximum of 1900 new applications during the period from September 10, 2018 through March 15, 2019.This includes 1235 applications from China, Macau/Hong Kong and 665 applications from the rest of the world.

How to qualify?

A legally acquired personal net worth of CAD $2 Million;

Two years of suitable management or business experience within the five years preceding the application;

Invest $1.2 Million in a passive government guaranteed investment for a period of five years, bearing no interest;

What is the process?

The completed application is reviewed for compliance, by an approved licensed financial intermediary with quota allocations from Quebec immigration authorities.

The application is then submitted to Quebec immigration authorities.

A file number is issued by Quebec within 30-days after reception.

A notice of interview or interview waiver takes place within 12 months after submission.

A decision takes place within 30 days after interview.

Approved applicants will be requested to make their investment within 110 days of a positive decision.

After investment you will receive a Quebec Selection Certificate (CSQ). This document allows you to apply for permanent residence at the federal level.

Submit a full application to federal immigration authorities, who will conduct security and medical checks.

Depending on the visa office, applications are finalized to visa issuance within a range of approximately 12 months (North America, Western Europe and South America) to 44 months (China).

After approval, passports are requested and a confirmation of permanent residence (COPR) is issued to the applicant and dependants.

Applicants and dependants must travel to Canada before the expiry date on the COPR document. The COPR will have a validity date near 12-months, corresponding to the 1-year anniversary of the medical exam.

Complete our Free Assessment to determine whether you qualify for immigration to Canada as an Immigrant Investor.

July 3, 2018 – The Quebec Immigrant Investor Program and the St Kitts & Nevis Immigrant Investor Program are two of the oldest investment immigration streams in the global residence through investment industry.

Comparing a residency program to a citizenship program may seem of limited value.

But given the history of the two programs and the vast differences between the two programs, a comparison is useful.

These are two programs at each end of the investment immigration spectrum.

One offers permanent residence in Canada, one of the world’s most sought-after nations for residence, in return for a $1.2 million investment.

The other offers citizenship of a Caribbean island nation for a minimum investment of US$250,000 (CAD$333,300).

The Quebec investor program is an example of how economically developed nations can use demand for residence as a driving attraction for the programs. A limited number of applicants are accepted under each.

The St Kitts program competes with several others in the Caribbean, forcing the investment threshold down and putting pressure on due diligence. Applicants can get citizenship in 90 days and are not required to visit the island.

Given the differences, the programs attract a different profile of applicant.

Quebec devotes 70% of its annual quota towards high net worth Chinese candidates looking to invest in international real estate and to secure a better future for their children.

St Kitts attracts candidates looking for a second citizenship that offers them visa-free access to a high number of countries, including the EU. Due diligence is important as the program can attract interest from criminal elements.

How QIIP Compares to St Kitts & Nevis Immigrant Investor Program

QIIP

St Kitts & Nevis Immigrant Investor Program

Investment threshold

$1.2 million

(government guaranteed)

Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation

· Single applicant: US$250,000

· Applicant plus 3 family members: US$300,000

· Each additional family member: US$25,000

Real Estate: US$400,000

Net worth requirement

$2 million

None

Tax obligations

Canadian permanent residents have the same tax obligations as citizens.

No income or wealth tax.

Nature of investment

Passive investment over 5 years bearing no interest

Sugar Industry Diversification Foundation or real estate

Residence qualification

Immediate permanent residence

Immediate citizenship

Processing time

Asian-based investors who make up majority of candidates wait 3-4 years

90 days

Physical presence requirement

To maintain permanent residence, you must live in Canada for at least two years in a five-year period. To qualify for citizenship, you must be physically present for three years in the last five, as well as meet other requirements.

None

Business experience required?

Yes, two years in the last five of suitable management or business experience.

No

Application window

The QIIP sets managed application periods, with the recent threshold set at 1,900 applications, including a maximum of 1,330 from China, Hong Kong and Macao. With families, the program welcomes 5,000 new permanent residents each year. The next application period is expected to open in Q3 2018.

Always open

Financing available?

Yes, formal financing schemes available

No

Controversies

The main controversy surrounding the QIIP is that investors use it as a back door to Canada (Vancouver and Toronto). Despite attempts to favour investors who state their intention to reside in Quebec, once they have permanent residence status, they are free to move anywhere in Canada. The program has been criticized for raising house prices in Vancouver and Toronto.

Visa-free access to Canada was once a key benefit of the St Kitts citizenship-by-investment program. But concerns over how the program was vetting its candidates saw Ottawa withdraw the access back in November 2014. Since then, the government has spearheaded a comprehensive overhaul of the program, including tasking an outside agency to complete the vetting of candidates. However, Canada is yet to be satisfied enough to remove the visa requirement.

Political climate

Canada’s political climate is stable and welcoming to new immigrants.

Prime Minister Tim Harris’s government faces regular opposition criticism for how it operates the citizenship-by-investment program. However, this is essentially political posturing as the program is a permanent fixture on the St Kitts landscape.

Program stability

The QIIP has just increased its investment and net worth thresholds for the first time in nearly a decade. The program is a well-established part of the Canadian immigration landscape.

The St Kitts & Nevis citizenship program is the oldest in world, established in 1984. It has faced criticism from inside and outside the country over its 34-year existence, but there is no way it will be disbanded any time soon. A 2014 overhaul improved the program’s due diligence and its reputation. In 2017, plans were announced to add a residence option.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

A recent increase in threshold for the QIIP means the investment requirements for both are similar, although the UK program also includes higher investment for a shorter waiting period for permanent residence.

Immediate permanent residence and the established, stable nature of the program gives the Quebec Investor the slight edge, although both remain viable investment immigration opportunities for high-net worth candidates.

Here, we compare the two.

Compared: Quebec Investor vs UK Tier 1 Investor

QIIP

UK Tier 1 Investor

Investment threshold

$1.2 million

(government guaranteed)

£2 million up to £10 million ($1.2m up to $5.8m). Higher investment means permanent residence is achieved more quickly

Net worth requirement

$2 million

Applicant must show they have at least £2 million under their own control in a financial institution.

Initial temporary residence, made permanent in 64 months for £2 million investment, 36 months for £5 million and 24 months for £10 million

Physical presence requirement

To maintain permanent residence, you must live in Canada for at least two years in a five-year period. To qualify for citizenship, you must be physically present for three years in the last five, as well as meet other requirements.

Main applicant and their spouse should not spend more than 180 days per year outside the UK.

Business experience required?

Yes, two years in the last five of suitable management or business experience.

No

Application window

The QIIP sets managed application periods, with the recent threshold set at 1,900 applications, including a maximum of 1,330 from China, Hong Kong and Macao. With families, the program welcomes 5,000 new permanent residents each year. The next application period is expected to open in Q3 2018.

Remains open to new applications.

Financing available?

Yes, formal financing schemes available

No

Controversies

The main controversy surrounding the QIIP is that investors use it as a back door to Canada (Vancouver and Toronto). Despite attempts to make investors state their intention to reside in Quebec, once they have permanent residence status, they are free to move anywhere in Canada. The program has been blamed for inflating house prices in Vancouver and Toronto.

The UK Tier 1 Investor program has hit controversy recently for allegedly failing to conduct due diligence on mainly-Russian applicants. This could lead to a crack down in the wake of a recent spy poisoning scandal.

Political climate

Canada’s political climate is stable and welcoming to new immigrants.

Brexit is the key unknown factor in the operation of the UK Tier 1 Investor visa. Will applicants get access to the European Union?

Program stability

The QIIP has just increased its investment and net worth thresholds for the first time in nearly a decade. The program is a well-established part of the Canadian immigration landscape.

The UK Tier 1 Investor visa is exclusive because of its high investment requirements, with the two upper thresholds introduced in 2011. It attracts the same ‘citizenship for sale’ criticism as all investment immigration programs, but there are no signs it will be disbanded. The Russian scandal mentioned above is expected to lead to tighter due diligence.

Conclusion

For stability, the guaranteed and passive nature of the investment and established financing option, the QIIP is among the best investment immigration options available. Access to Canadian permanent residence for approximately $325,000 with the financing option gives the program a crucial edge over some of its rivals. There are no direct threats to the future of the program and while Ontario and B.C. would like to see some of the benefits spread across Canada, the economic advantages of the QIIP are clear. Asian-based investors can currently expected processing delays of between three and four years.

The UK Tier 1 Investor is suffering from the unknown of whether British permanent residents will have access to the European Union after ‘Brexit’. However, the country remains a sought-after destination in its own right. Recent controversy surrounding the level of due diligence conducted on Russian candidates is expected to result in a tightening of the numbers of visas awarded.

Both have effectively guaranteed investment, with the Quebec investor program’s immediate permanent residence and established program history giving it the edge over the British program.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

Which course should you complete to prove your oral French knowledge?

One of the most popular options to prove knowledge of French for the Quebec Experience Program is to provide a final transcript attesting to the successful completion of an advanced intermediate level French course taken in Québec, in a recognized educational institution.

It is very important to select a course that is accepted by the authorities before registering. Submission of a Quebec Experience Program application with an invalid French course can lead to a refused application.

Several course options are offered, divided by educational level, from high school to university level. The selection of the appropriate educational level depends on the type of eligible diploma you are pursuing for the Quebec Experience Program. For example, if you are pursuing a bachelor degree, you will select a university level language course.

High School Level

Study Program

French Class Code

French Class Title

Francisation

LAN-5079-10

LAN-5089-10

French Second Language Level 7

French Second Language Level 8

French, second language

FRE-5101-1

FRE-5103-2

FRE-5092-6

FRE-5093-6

French Second Language Level 1**

French Second Language Level 3**

French, Second Language

French, Second Language

** Successful completion of both French Second Language Class 1 and 3 is mandatory to be recognized as proof of advanced intermediate French.

College Level

Study Programs

Codes and Titles of Courses

French Level Class for non-francophone students

601-014-50 Practice of French as a teaching language for non-francophone students

601-016-50 Practice of French as a teaching language for non-francophone students

601-020-50 Practice of French as a teaching language for non-francophone students

** Courses in bold are the minimal courses accepted by the authorities as proof of advanced intermediate French knowledge. Other courses listed are more advanced level courses which are also accepted by the authorities.

For the evaluation of French knowledge, advanced intermediate results (level B2) of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages are needed in oral comprehension and oral production in order to qualify for the Quebec Experience Program.

The CEFR Levels

The table below describes the language proficiency skills based on your abilities to read, write, speak and listen and can help you identify your current language level.

ADVANCED

C2

Can understand with ease everything heard or read. Can summarise information from different spoken and written sources, reconstructing arguments and accounts in a coherent presentation. Can express him/herself spontaneously, very fluently and precisely, differentiating finer shades of meaning even in more complex situations.

C1

Can understand a wide range of demanding, longer texts, and recognise implicit meaning. Can express him/herself fluently and spontaneously without much obvious searching for expressions. Can use language flexibly and effectively for social, academic and professional purposes. Can produce clear, well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects, showing controlled use of organisational patterns, connectors and cohesive devices.

INTERMEDIATE

B2

Can understand the main ideas of complex text on both concrete and abstract topics, including technical discussions in his/her field of specialisation. Can interact with a degree of fluency and spontaneity that makes regular interaction with native speakers quite possible without strain for either party. Can produce clear, detailed text on a wide range of subjects and explain a viewpoint on a topical issue giving the advantages and disadvantages of various options.

B1

Can understand the main points of input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

BASIC

A2

Can understand sentences and frequently used expressions related to simple areas (e.g. very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Can communicate in simple and routine tasks requiring a simple and direct exchange of information on familiar and routine matters. Can describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background, immediate environment and matters in areas of immediate need.

A1

Can understand and use familiar expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of basic concrete needs. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

Embrace your future and let Immigration.ca become the choice for your study in Canada experience that will last a lifetime!

Nov 10, 2017 – The Quebec government has exclusive jurisdiction to manage its own comprehensive immigration programs, under a series of agreements dating back to 1981. It has the largest allocations of immigrants to Canada, among the 10 provinces and 3 territories accounting for approximately 17 per cent of Canada’s planned overall annual immigration levels for 2018.

Economic Immigration Numbers

Quebec plans to welcome up to 31,300 economic immigrants in 2018, split between Skilled Worker, Business and Other Economic categories.

This maximum intake figure is 1,000 more than the expected maximum for 2017 and effectively the same as the 2016 total of 31,600 new immigrants.

The 2018 breakdown figures for Skilled Workers (24,200 to 26,300), Business (4,000 to 4,300) and Other Economic immigrants (500 to 700) are all within a similar range as seen in the previous two years.

Family Reunification Numbers

In the Family Reunification category, the maximum intake of 12,100 is slightly lower than the projected 2017 maximum intake of 12,800, but significantly higher than both 2016 (11,124) and 2015 (10,490).

Refugee Numbers

Refugee numbers are expected to drop slightly when compared to the previous years. In 2018, Quebec plans to welcome a maximum 8,800 in the Refugee categories, compared to a projected 9,500 maximum for 2017 and 9,274 in 2016.

Quebec Immigration Admission Targets 2018

Category

Minimum

Maximum

Economic immigration

28,700

31,300

Skilled worker

24,200

26,300

Business

4,000

4,300

Other economic*

500

700

Family reunification

11,600

12,100

Refugees and people in similar situations

8,100

8,800

Refugees selected abroad

5,600

6,000

State-funded refugees

1,550

1,600

Privately sponsored refugees

4,050

4,400

Refugees recognized locally

2,500

2,800

Other immigrants**

600

800

Total

49,000

53,000

* Includes caregivers and other economic class immigrants ** Includes various special categories of immigrants admitted on humanitarian or public interest grounds

The Greece Immigration Golden Visa Program is seeing a spike in interest from Turkish investors, as it continues to raise key funds for the struggling European country’s economy.

Real estate experts say more than 160 Turks have invested the required €250,000 in Greek property and obtained a five-year residency permit.

It makes Turkish investors the sharpest rising nationality of investor in the Greek golden visa program, which has attracted a crucial influx of investment for a country still struggling to emerge from a disastrous economic downturn.

Benefits of Greece Golden Visa

Greek residency for property purchase of just €250,000.

Live and work in Greece when maintaining residence in another country.

Study in Greece.

Visa-free access to the Schengen area of EU countries

Family members are included.

Visa can be renewed every five years.

Figures show residency permits have been issued to 2,000 candidates since the program started in 2013. In that time, more than €1 billion has been spent on Greek property by foreign investors.

In the case of Turkish investors, the sums often significantly exceed the €250,000 threshold required for residency. Political instability in Turkey could be a key driver behind citizens looking elsewhere for residency and second citizenships.

Like many of the world’s investment immigration programs, Chinese investors dominate the Greek golden visa, with 850 candidates approved for a visa. Russians are the second most prolific investors, with 388 visas issued.

Greece Golden Visa: Investment Requirements

Purchase real estate property in Greece with a minimum value of €250,000.

Sign a 10-year lease with minimum €250,000 for hotel or other tourist residence.

Have purchased a property before 2013 currently worth €250,000 or more.

Purchase land with intent to build, provided value of land and construction contract is minimum €250,000.

A key driver is the attractive property market following the 2008 downturn.

Prices in the capital Athens are half what they were before the 2008 economic crisis, when Greece accepted billions in bailout money from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund.

The success of the golden visa program has caused prices to recover somewhat, although they remain significantly below their 2008 peak.

Greece Golden Visa: Inclusion of Family Members

Spouse

Children up to the age of 21

The Greece Immigration Golden Visa Investor Program allows you to apply for a residence permit by purchasing or leasing Greek real estate. You can obtain a five-year residency permit in return for an investment of €250,000.

The program also allows investors who purchased property before its 2013 start date to apply for residency. The residency is renewable every five years provided the investment is maintained.

July 14, 2017 – The Quebec Superior Court granted a permanent injunction and awarded damages in a first-time defamation based ruling in the province, against anonymous “John Doe” online posters. In its ruling, the court held that five individual online internet postings created by fictitious users were unlawful and defamed the reputation of lawyer Colin Singer, an immigration lawyer in Canada and Managing Partner of www.immigration.ca.

In some instances, the internet posters chose pseudonyms of Singer’s name to post fabricated, defamatory statements about his immigration practice. The court accepted submissions that the postings in question could not be admitted as legitimate criticisms or expressions of opinions made in good faith, and were beyond the limits of freedom of speech. The court also accepted the submission that the posts’ sole objective was to intentionally harm Singer’s reputation as well as his online personae, immigration.ca, and therefore did not consist of a case where the poster’s right to anonymous comment was worthy of protection. The court endorsed the established principle that a lawyer’s reputation is of paramount importance.

The court heard that since 1994, Mr. Singer conducts his law practice through immigration.ca, an established contributor of online written content on immigration matters in Canada, reaching a worldwide clientele.

The practice of issuing a permanent injunction against anonymous or “John Doe” defendants is controversial in many jurisdictions. A defendant whose name is unknown may be sued, under a fictitious name, in certain circumstances, with special permission of the court. The judgment condemned each defendant to pay $2,500 in damages.

“We are aware some competitors in the Canadian immigration industry are prepared to engage in unlawful activities to try and harm our success”, said Singer. “I am pleased that my reputation has been vindicated through this strong ruling” he said.

May 11, 2017 – Canada currently runs a lottery system for citizens and permanent residents who want to apply for parents and grandparents sponsorship for Canadian immigration.

Sponsors are invited to complete a basic questionnaire to enter the lottery, from which names are drawn to complete a full application.

The questionnaire is open for completion for a month, usually from early January to early February each calendar year.

The sponsorship system was introduced in 2017, replacing the old first-come, first-served system.

Sponsor Requirements for Parent and Grandparent Program

You must be 18 years of age or older.

Demonstrate, for a period of 3 consecutive years prior to sponsorship, income greater than the minimum published by IRCC.

Sign an undertaking to financially support the parent or grandparent, and reimburse the government for any social assistance paid out to the relative, for a period of 20 years from the date of permanent residence.

Rules For Establishing Whether Sponsor Meets Income Requirements

Only official documents issued by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will be accepted to demonstrate income for the three years prior to submission;

If a co-signer is included in the sponsorship application, the combined income of the co-signer and the sponsor will be considered;

Any amounts from the following sources will be deducted from the sponsor and co-signer’s income for the purposes of financial eligibility:

Provincial allowances received for a program of instruction or training;

Social assistance received from a province;

Financial assistance received from the Government of Canada under a resettlement program;

Amounts received under the Employment Insurance Act, other than special benefits;

Monthly guaranteed income supplement received under the Old Age Security Act;

Canada child tax benefit received under the Income Tax Act.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

The Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program issues periodic Invitations to Apply (ITAs) throughout the year. The table below shows all the ITAs issued for Manitoba immigration via Manitoba PNP draws in 2017.

Date

Category

Invitations to apply

Lowest score

29-Dec-17

Skilled Workers in Manitoba

133

545

Skilled Workers Overseas

45

711

13-Dec-17

Skilled Workers in Manitoba

209

375

Skilled Workers Overseas

45

675

23-Nov-17

Skilled Workers in Manitoba

250

567

Skilled Workers Overseas

22

664

31-Oct-17

Skilled Workers in Manitoba

351

577

Skilled Workers Overseas

44

730

26-Sep-17

Skilled Workers in Manitoba

300

602

Skilled Workers Overseas

49

721

15-Aug-17

Skilled Workers in Manitoba

401

585

Skilled Workers Overseas

42

719

11-Jul-17

Skilled Workers in Manitoba

458

612

Skilled Workers Overseas

36

712

17-Jun-17

Skilled Workers in Manitoba

180

705

Skilled Workers Overseas

24

689

30-May-17

Skilled Workers in Manitoba

258

735

Skilled Workers Overseas

143

706

30-Mar-17

Skilled Workers in Manitoba

201

657

Skilled Workers Overseas

24

698

16-Mar-17

Skilled Workers in Manitoba

250

684

Skilled Workers Overseas

63

703

27-Feb-17

Skilled Workers in Manitoba

200

719

Skilled Workers Overseas

124

575

27-Jan-17

Skilled Workers in Manitoba

150

734

Skilled Workers Overseas

39

707

Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program: 2017 Business Stream Draws

Manitoba immigration also runs a successful business immigration program. Below is a list of the 2017 draws: